1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play is set on stage with a setting of New York, Manhattan. The time is set in present tense from Jul 4th to the 6th. The play involves the main character, Val Johnson, in which he made a bad judgment in the line of duty by unnecessarily shooting a white man. He is fighting an internal battle in which he debates whether to tell the truth or cover up his lie to save his dignity and way of life being a black cop.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion happens when we find out that Val shoots Willis because he could not take the racist comments any longer. This leads to the meet with Parker and his first lie on the true nature of his act.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that Val and Charlie are Vietnam veterans.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Val keep the truth of his homicide a secret to protect his image and life being a black cop in a white world?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first Exposition is what Val holds to himself throughout the play until he tells his dad at the end. The second is Charlie’s murder of his fellow soldier and how he got away with it. No other characters know besides Val.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment was when Val has his last words with his dad before the trial. True emotions came out during this argument.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Racism, murder, lies, values, morals, validating criminal acts
8. What do the principal characters want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of them getting what they want?
Val wants to get away with his loss of tempered murder but his dad wants him to honor the oath and own up to his mistake. Val’s wife wants his to go through with his lie to keep what they have intact as well.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The play kept referring to the black and white cop cars being an image of black against white crime. Vietnam war became a symbol of something that should have shaped morals and determined attitudes and values.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The police force is an enormous family that sticks up for each other. This is evident as seen with Charlie and Rusty’s actions and advice. Val has extreme respect for his dad and it is obvious that he does not want to disappoint him with his decision.
02/25/2017
Split Second Worksheet
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play is set on stage with a setting of New York, Manhattan. The time is set in present tense from Jul 4th to the 6th. The play involves the main character, Val Johnson, in which he made a bad judgment in the line of duty by unnecessarily shooting a white man. He is fighting an internal battle in which he debates whether to tell the truth or cover up his lie to save his dignity and way of life being a black cop.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion happens when we find out that Val shoots Willis because he could not take the racist comments any longer. This leads to the meet with Parker and his first lie on the true nature of his act.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that Val and Charlie are Vietnam veterans.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Val keep the truth of his homicide a secret to protect his image and life being a black cop in a white world?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first Exposition is what Val holds to himself throughout the play until he tells his dad at the end. The second is Charlie’s murder of his fellow soldier and how he got away with it. No other characters know besides Val.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment was when Val has his last words with his dad before the trial. True emotions came out during this argument.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Racism, murder, lies, values, morals, validating criminal acts
8. What do the principal characters want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of them getting what they want?
Val wants to get away with his loss of tempered murder but his dad wants him to honor the oath and own up to his mistake. Val’s wife wants his to go through with his lie to keep what they have intact as well.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The play kept referring to the black and white cop cars being an image of black against white crime. Vietnam war became a symbol of something that should have shaped morals and determined attitudes and values.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The police force is an enormous family that sticks up for each other. This is evident as seen with Charlie and Rusty’s actions and advice. Val has extreme respect for his dad and it is obvious that he does not want to disappoint him with his decision.